What Will Life Be Like After Back Liposuction?

Lipo can be a confusing treatment with deferred effects. Immediately after a back liposuction procedure, it can be hard to see any improvement. This makes patients worry that the treatment has not worked. However, this isn’t the case at all. For some time after the procedure, postoperative edema will be present. This can lead patients to think that their backs still look the same. However, after a few weeks, the edema will subside. After a couple of months, the full effect of the lipo will be clearly visible.

However, after any type of lipo, self-care is vital. Here, we look at what life is like after a back lipo procedure.

After A Couple of Hours

Within a couple of hours after your procedure, you will be able to get up and walk around. Your surgeon will have carried out the procedure under a local anesthetic. Therefore, he or she will allow you to go home on the same day. You may feel tired and physically weak, however. You may also feel sick for a couple of days or have a higher than normal temperature.

The First Few Days and Weeks

You cannot take a shower for at least 24 hours after your lipo. Depending on your surgeon’s advice, you may need to wait even longer. You should only take short showers at first and the water shouldn’t be hot. You should also avoid swimming, saunas, and solariums for at least two weeks after your treatment.

During back liposuction, the surgeon removes fat from your body. This allows free space to form under your skin. Therefore, your skin will need some time and help to return to its former position. You will need a compression garment to put pressure on the skin and free space and allow them to contract. You will need to wear this garment 24 hours a day for the first two to three weeks after surgery. The only exception to this is when you take a shower. After that, you should wear your compression garment for 12 hours per day for the next two weeks. Your physician will ensure that your compression garment is the right size to maximize the results.

Bruising and discomfort are normal after lipo. However, they shouldn’t be too extreme. Over-the-counter painkillers will help to reduce any pain. You may experience discomfort for as long as two weeks and your bruises will peak after around three days. There will be bruising on the area around the incisions and on other parts of your back. There will be some small scars where the surgeon made the incisions.

After around three days, you’ll be ready to return to most of your normal daily activities. You shouldn’t lift heavy items for two weeks, however.

The First Few Months

After around a month, you can resume moderate physical activities. Then, under the advice of your doctor, you can return to your normal physical level after a couple of months. After around six months, you’ll notice the small incision scars will have faded and will be almost invisible.

After a couple of months, you will be able to see the full effect of your back liposuction. You will notice a much slimmer and more contoured physique. It’s important, however, to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You shouldn’t gain more than a few pounds after your procedure or the fat could return. Once your doctor says you are ready, you should return to working out. Otherwise, your procedure may be in vain. For the best and most long-lasting results, you must maintain a long-term healthy diet and exercise regime.

Dr. Thomas Su, is the owner and cosmetic surgeon of Artistic Lipo. He has led our full-time clinic specializing in awake-only liposuction since 2007. Dr. Su began his medical career in internal medicine, practicing that until 2005, when he began to provide a full spectrum of non-invasive cosmetic procedures.